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9 Answers
9

Look for an organization that has an active local chapter. Even large groups like ACM and IEEE Computer Society will be of limited benefit unless you are active. I have found that local chapters make the benefits much greater and offer more opportunities to get involved. That is unless someone is only looking at something to put on a resume.

UKUUG, the UK's Unix & Open Systems User Group. They organise a twice yearly conference, training days and seminars, and actively promote and debate open standards with governmental bodies in the UK and EU.